Folding frame for portable buildings.



M. RASMUSSEN & N. N. BROWN.

FOLDING FRAME FOR PORTABLE BUILDINGS.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 26, I9I5.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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APPLICATION HLED APR. 26| 19l5.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED APR-26, l9l5.

' Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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M. R'AS'MUSSEN & N. N. BROWN.

FOLDING FRAME FOR PORTABLE BUILDINGS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.26, 1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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'3 tion, the frame '45 elevation of the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN RASMUSSEN AND NEWTON N. BROWN, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO GOLD MEDAL CAMP FURNITURE MANUFACTURING 60., OF RACINE, WISCONSIN,

A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

FOLDING FRAME FOR PORTABLE BUILDINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 26, 1915. Serial No. 23,959.

5 respectively, residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have inventedv certain new and useful Im--.

provements in FoldingFrames for Portable Buildings, of which the, following is a specification, reference being bad to the accom- I panying drawing, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates more particularly to frames for tents'or canvas covered buildings. The main objects of-the invention are to provide a light folding frame which can be easily and quickly erected, taken down, folded and packed in small compass for transportation and storage; when taken down has few disconnected parts or detached fastenings be misplaced and lost; and generally to simplify and improve/the construction and increase the convenience and utility of col- 2 lapsible portable buildings of this class.

It consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyin acters designate the same parts in the several figures. Figure 1 is a perspective View .of a twobent or section frame embodying the invenbeing shown erected ready for a canvas or other covering; Fig. 2 is a side elevation on a' much larger scale of the superstructure or upper part of the frame when folded; Fig. .3 is a similar elevation of an adjacent side of the folded frame; Fig. & is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the folded base orsill frame; Fig. 5 is a similar elevation of an'adjacent side of the r Fig. 6 is an enlarged side detachable door post and folding top rail; Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevation'of one of the detachable tie braces for connecting the rafters; Fig. 8 is an end elevation as viewed from the left relative to Figs. 2 and 3, of the folded main frame; Fig. 9 is an elevation of the opposite end of said folded frame; Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of the hinge connections between a corner post rafter and folded sill frame;

and which 1 which are liable to drawing like charplate member; Fig. 11 is a similar view of the hinge connections between an intermediate post, rafter and adjoining plate members; Fig. 12 is a similar view of the hinge connection between the upper ends of end rafters and a'ridge pole section; Fig. 13 is a slmllar view of the upper ends of the lntermediate rafters and the inner or free ends of the ridge pole sections, showing the method of assembling and connecting them; F1g. 14 is a similar view of the hinge connecting the side sill sections andfforming therewith a socket for the lower end of an intermediate post, a part of which is shown; F1g. 15 isa similar view of the hinge connectmg the end sill sections; Fig. 16 is a similar view of'the detachable door post, hinged top rail and a portion of an end sill showing the method of assembling themin the erected-frame; Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail view. showing a detachable connection between a rafter and one end of a tie Patented eai, 191

brace; Fig. 18 is an enlarged perspective one of the hinges connecting corner of the frame a socket to receive view showing the sill sections at a and forming therewith the lower end of a corner post, a portion of 7 sec- I Y corner post rafter for the attachment i frame having two bents or sections constructed in accordance with the invention,

the superstructure or main frame comprises posts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, rafters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, plate members 13, 14,15 and 16, and

ridge pole sections 17 and 18, which are connected b'y hinges so as and 9.

The building may have, especially if it is to be provided with a floor, a separate folding base or s'll frame. This frame is composed of sections 19, 20, 21, 22,223,2 1,

to fold together into a small compass, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, S

ends by angular hinge plates 0, which are also preferably flanged and riveted or bolted to opposite sides of the posts, as shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11, the offset limbs of the plates embracing the rafters being pivotally connected therewith by hinge pins d.

The plate members 13, 14, l5'and 16-are connected at their outer ends with the lower ends of the end rafters 7, 8, 11 and 12, by L-shaped hinge plates 6, whichware riveted or bolted to the upper and lower sides of the rafters, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10, the offset limbs of the hinge plates being pivotally connected with the plate members by hinge pins f. The inner ends of the plate members 13, 14, 15 and 16 are connected with the lower ends of the intermediate rafters 9 and 10 by T-shaped hinge plates g, which are riveted or bolted to the upper and lower sides of the rafters, as shown in Figs. 1 and 11, the cross limbs of the hinge plates being pivotally connected with the plate members by hinge pins h. I

The ridge pole sections 17 and 18 are connected adjacent to their outer ends with the upper ends of the end rafters 7, 8, 11 and 12, by forked hinge plates 13,. which are attached to the inner ends of the hinge pins 6 and are pivoted to said sections by cross pins j, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12. At their inner or opposite ends the sections 17 and 18 are provided, as shown in Fig. 13, with fastenings for connecting them in alinement with each other when the frame is erected, as shown in Fig. 1. These fastenings consist of a looped plate It, riveted or bolted to the sides of one section, and a downwardly hooked plate Z riveted or bolted to the top of the other section and adapted to be inserted from above into the'loop'ed end of the plate is. The upper ends of the several rafters are beveled to fit against opposite sides of the ridge pole and to embrace and firmly support the same, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12, when the members are unfolded into place in the erection of the frame. The sill sections are connected at the corners of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 18, by box-like or channeled hinge plates or members m, which are bolted or riveted to said sections and are formed with inwardly projecti'ng offsets connected by hinge pins n. The webs and lower flanges of these hinge sill sections and form sockets or holders for the lower ends of the corner posts 1, 2, 5 and 6. The end sill sections 19, 20, 23 and 24: are provided at their inner ends with hinge plates 0, riveted or bolted to the upper and lower sides thereof and formed with outwardlyprojecting offsets or ears, which are pivotally connected with each other by vertical pins p, as shown in Fig. 15. The side sill sections 21, 22, 25 and 26, are provided at their inner ends with hinge plates 9, riveted or boltedto opposite sides thereof and formed with upwardly projecting offsets or ears, which are connected by horizontal pivot pins 7", as shown in Fig. 14. The plates q extend beyond the ends of the sill sections and form with the ends thereof, sockets or holders for the lower ends of the middle posts 3 and 4.

The frame is preferably braced and strengthened as follows: Tie braces 27, 28 and 29, beveled at the .ends, as shown in Figs. 1 and '7, to fit the under sides of opposite rafters are detachably fastened thereto as shown in Figs. 1 and 17, by bolts 8 and thumb nuts 6. Jointed metal corner braces 30, are pivoted at the ends tothe under sides of the end rafters 7, 8, 11 and 12, and plate members 13, 14, 15 and 16, equidistant from the corners of the roof frame, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to fold therewith, as shown in Fig. '3. Post braces 31, pivoted to the. sill sec-' tions are detachably connected by bolts and thumb nuts u with the posts above their lower ends. These braces, which are provided at their lower ends with U-shaped metal fittings '0, may be pivoted to the inner sides of the sill sections, as shown in Fig. 1, by bolts w, passing horizontally through the fittings and sill sections, so as to fold with said sections, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This is the preferable method of connecting the braces w1th the sillframe, so that they will readily fold therewith and need not be detached therefrom, but when the building is provided with a floor laid on the sill frame, the braces may be pivotally connected with the tops of the sill sections, as shown in Fig. 19, by passing the bolts to through holes in the ends of the fittings o and through vertical holes in the sill sections, the braces then pivoting on the pins 0', by which they are attached to the sides of the fittings o, and not as before, on the bolts w. With this method of connecting the braces with the sill frame, the fittings o with the bolts w are preferably removed from the frame when the building is erected, and the bolts are then inserted through holes in the floor registering with the holes in the sills, thereby clamping the floor to the sills and avoiding the necessity of cutting away the flooring to clear the fittings '1).

At one end the frame is provided with a door post 32, detachably fastened at its ends to an end sill and tiebrace, as shown in Fig. 1. Oneof the braces 31 is connected with the post 32 instead of the adjacent corner post 1. A top cross rail 33, for the doorway,

is connected. at one end by L-shaped hinge plates on, with the door post 32, as shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 16, so as to unfold at right,

angles to the post, as shown in Figs. 1 and 16, and to fold parallel therewith, as shown in Fig. 6. The opposite end of the cross rail '33 is beveled to fit into the opening between the upper end of the adjacent post 1, rafter "7 and hinge plates 0, when the frame is erected, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper end of the post 1 being cut off square for this purpose. At its lower end the post 32 is provided with notched or slotted plates y, riveted or bolted to opposite sides thereof and adapted to embrace the sill section 19 and engage with a cross pin 2 therein, as shown in Figs. 1 and 16. At its upper end the post 32 is provided with an angular plate bolted or riveted thereto and have ing a slot and notch in its offset limb for engagement with a bolt and thumb nut a by which it is-clamped to the tie brace 27 when the frame is' erected, as shown in Fig. 1. This bolt and thumb nut a may serve also, likethe bolts 8 and thumb nuts t to fasten the brace 27 to the rafter 7.

- vThe frame may be made with one or more bents or sections for buildings of different sizes and for adding a bent or section atone end of the frame, the hinged end of the ridge pole section 18 is provided with an upwardly projecting hook Z adapted to engage with' a looped or U-shaped plate is! fastened to the free end of the ridge pole section 34 of the additional bent or frame sectidn, as shown in Fig. 20, and the plate members 35 of the added bent or frame section are connected with the plate members 15 and 16 by hinges 36, as shown in Fig. 21.

A two-bent frame having abase or sill frame, as shown in Fig. 1, is taken down and folded as follows: The braces 31 are detached from the several posts with which they are connected at their upper ends by removing the thumb nuts 1, which are then replaced on the bolts remaining in' the posts,

.toavoid their being misplaced and lost.

' The door post 32, with the top rail 33, are

removed from the frame and folded together, as shown in Fig. 6, the thumb nut e 1 tie brace 27.

being tightened and left on the bolt in the The tie braces 27, 28 and 29 are-removed from'the rafters by unscrewing the nuts t from the bolts 8, which to prevent their being misplaced and lost, and to permit the frame members to fold snugly together, are preferably withdrawn from the I rafters and replaced in the holes in the braces. The ridge'pole sections 17 and 18, are disconnected at their inner ends, re-

- moved from the middle rafters 9 and 10, and

turned downwardly on the hinge pins j. The posts 1, 2, 3, 1, 5 and 6' are then withdrawn from the sockets in the base or sill frame and folded underneath the rafters, which are then folded with the posts between them on the hinge pins 6. The end rafters with the end posts are then folded around the hinge pins f upon the plate members 13, 14*, 15 and 16, and with said members are folded on the hinge pins it against and parallel'with opposite sides of the intermediate rafters 9 and 10 and intermediate posts 3 and 4.- into the form shown in Figs.

2,3,8and 9.

pact bundle convenient for transportation or storagej Various modifications in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made withoutdeparture from the principle and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

We claim:

11. In a folding frame for portable build-' ings the combination of rafters connected in pairs at their upper ends by offset hinges,

posts hinged at their upper ends to the rafters adjacent to their lower ends and adapted to fold between and parallel with them, and plate members hinged to. the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside the rafters and posts, the

posts being shorter than the rafters, which are shorter thanthe plate members.

2. Inafolding frame for portable buildings the combination of rafters hinged together in pairs at their upper ends and adapted to fold parallel with each other,

posts hinged at their upper ends to the rafters adjacent to their lower ends and adapted to fold between them, plate members hinged to the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof, and a ridge pole hinged at one end to one pair of rafters and detachably connectible at the other end with another air at'their upper ends so as to fold alongside thereof and between opposite plate members 7 3. In a folding frame for portable buildingsthecombination of rafters hinged, together at. their upper ends in pairs/posts hinged .at their upper ends to the rafters adjacent to theirlower ends and adapted to fold between theni, plate members hinged to the lower-ends of the rafters .and adapted to the lower ends of the posts,

fold alongside thereof, and a folding sill frame composed of sections connected at the ends by hinges which form therewith sockets for the lower ends of the posts.

4. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of rafters connected in pairs at their upper ends by downwardly offset hinges, posts connected at their upper ends by offset hinges to the rafters adjacent to their lower ends and adapted to fold between them, and plate members connected by oflset hinges with the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof.

5. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of end and intermediate rafters hinged together at their upper ends in pairs, posts hinged at their upper ends tov the rafters adjacent to their lower ends andadapted to fold between them, plate members hinged to the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof, and ridge pole sections hinged to the upper ends of the end rafters and connectible at the other end with each other and with the upper ends of the intermediate rafters.

6. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of end and intermediate rafters connected at their upper ends in pairs by downwardly offset hinges, posts hingedat their upper ends to the rafters adj acent to fold between them, plate members connected at their ends to the lowe ends of the rafters by ofi'set hinges and adapted to fold alongside thereof, and ridge pole sections hinged at one end to the upper ends of the end rafters-and adapted to fold alongside of opposite posts and between opposite sill memers.

7. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of end and intermediate rafters hinged together' at their upper ends in .pairs, posts hinged at their upper ends to the rafters adjacent to their lower ends and adapted to fold between them, plate members hinged to the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof, and a sill frame composed of sections connected at their ends by hinges which form therewith sockets for the lower ends of the poststhe end sections adapted to fold together between the side sections and to fold with the side sections upon 'one another.

8. In a folding frame for portable buildings composed of rafters, postsand plate members hinged together and adapted to fold parallel with one another, a folding sill frame composed of sections hinged together end to end and provided with holders for and folding braces pivoted to the sill sections and connectible with the posts above their lower ends.

their lower ends and adapted to hinge connections the combination of a superstructure 9. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of end and intermediate rafters hinged together at their upper ends in pairs, posts hinged at their upper ends to the rafters adjacent to their lower ends and adapted to fold between them, plate members hinged to the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof, a folding sill frame composed of sections connected at their ends by hinges which form therewith sockets for the lower ends of the posts, and folding braces pivoted to the sill sections and connectible with the posts above their lower ends.

10. In a foldina frame for portable buildings the combination of a pair of rafters hinged together at their upper ends, posts hinged at their upper ends to the rafters adjacent to their lower ends and adapted to fold between them, a tie brace connectible at the ends with the rafters, a door post connectible at its upper end with said brace and a top rail hinged at one end to the door post and connectible at the opposite end with the upper end of the adjacent frame post.

' 11. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of a pair of rafters hinged together at their upper ends,posts hinged at their upper ends to. the rafters adjacent to their lower ends, a tie brace derafters, a sill detachably connectible with the lower ends of said posts parallel with said detachably connectible at its ends with said brace and sill parallel with said folding posts, and a top rail hinged at one end to the door post and adapted to be inserted and held at the other end between the hinge plates connecting the adjacent post and rafter.

12. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of rafters hinged together in pairs at their upper ends, plate members hinged to the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof and parallel therewith, and jointed corner braces pivoted at their ends to the rafters and plate members equidistant from their with each other and adapted to fold together substantially parallel therewith.

13. In a folding frame for portable buildings the combination of end and intermediate rafters connected at their upper ends in pairs by downwardly offset hinges, plate members hinged at their ends to the lower ends of the rafters and adapted to fold alongside thereof, and ridge pole sections brace, a door post hinged adjacent to one end thereof to the posed of sections connected at the corners and sides of the frame by box-like hinges forming With the ends of said sections, 1! sockets for the reception of the lower ends of said posts.

In witness whereof we hereto afiix our signatures in, presence of two witnesses.

. MARTIN RASMUSSEN.

- NEWTON N..BROWN. Witnesses:

W. G. GITTINGS, KATHARINE OWEN. 

